Core Insights - Silver prices surged to an all-time high of $121 per ounce in early January 2026, driven by macroeconomic anxiety, Federal Reserve uncertainty, and strong retail investor participation [1] - A dramatic crash occurred on January 30, 2026, with silver prices plummeting over 30% in a single day, marking one of the worst declines in modern market history [2][25] - Despite the crash, silver remains one of the top-performing major assets of 2026, up more than 12% year-to-date compared to a 2% gain in the S&P 500 [3][27] Price Dynamics - For silver to reach $200 per ounce in 2026, it would need to more than double from its February valuation of $88, which is historically rare but not unprecedented [4][15] - The immediate trigger for the price collapse was political and monetary, specifically the announcement of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair, which led to a stronger U.S. dollar and reduced demand for safe-haven assets [5][7][25] - The crash was sentiment-driven rather than a collapse in physical market demand, as industrial demand indicators remained stable [11][12] Investment Landscape - Silver's unique position as both a safe-haven asset and an industrial metal supports its long-term pricing, with over 50% of global silver demand coming from industrial applications [13] - Retail investor interest surged, with increased trading activity in silver ETFs and mining stocks, indicating ongoing speculation [14] - The iShares Silver Trust (SLV) has outperformed most major asset classes in 2026, highlighting silver's diversification value, but it also reflects the downside risk associated with silver price volatility [20][21] Market Sentiment and Future Outlook - Silver's volatility reflects broader market dynamics characterized by fragile confidence and rapid narrative shifts, acting as a barometer of investor psychology [23][24] - Future silver price movements will depend less on mining output and more on confidence in economic leadership, inflation control, and institutional credibility [24] - Current fundamentals do not support sustained prices at the $200 level, and reaching such a price would likely require severe inflation fears or financial instability [26][30]

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has said the Bank of England’s (BoE) decision to hold rates at 3.75% points to a slow route to lower borrowing costs, despite a more dovish inflation outlook. The central bank kept the rate unchanged after inflation rose to 3.4% in December. The Monetary Policy Committee backed the decision by a 5–4 margin. Four members supported a 0.25 percentage-point reduction, which would have taken the rate to 3.5%. The decision comes after the B ...

Though 2026 has economists predicting more of a reset than a rebound for the housing market, real estate mogul, money expert and “Shark Tank” star Barbara Corcoran doesn’t think that should be a deterrent for those looking to buy a home. If you’re thinking about purchasing property right now, the current interest rates may have given you pause, but they are expected to take a modest dip in the new year. ​​The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage is about 6.11% as of Feb. 5. That’s down more than a per ...

Last week, XAUUSD settled at $4964.62, up $69.18 or +1.41%Technical Setup: Support TighteningThis week, the wide support zone comes in at $4744.34 to $4427.82, just like last week. However, the uptrend line from the $3886.46 main bottom, moving at a rate of $43.06 per week, comes in at $4532.39. This creates a relatively tight support cluster at $4532.39 to $4427.82. Relatively tight that is, given the current elevated volatility.Pattern, Price, and Time Still IntactMarkets follow three elements, in my opin ...

Core Insights - Current mortgage rates are relatively low, with the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate at 5.95% and the 15-year fixed rate at 5.43%, marking significant milestones under 6% and 5.5% respectively [1][17] - Economic factors, including a disappointing job openings report, are contributing to the low rates, with potential increases expected if upcoming inflation data shows a slower rise [1] Current Mortgage Rates - The national average rates for various mortgage types are as follows: 30-year fixed at 5.95%, 20-year fixed at 5.99%, 15-year fixed at 5.43%, 5/1 ARM at 5.93%, and 7/1 ARM at 5.95% [5][17] - The average 30-year mortgage payment for a $300,000 loan at 5.95% would be approximately $1,789 monthly, resulting in $344,047 in interest over the loan's life [7] - For a 15-year mortgage at 5.43%, the monthly payment would increase to $2,440, with total interest paid being $139,222 [9] Adjustable Mortgage Rates - Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) typically start with lower rates than fixed rates but can increase after the initial period, such as the 5/1 ARM which remains fixed for the first five years [10][11] - Recent trends show that ARM rates can sometimes be similar to or higher than fixed rates, emphasizing the importance of comparing lenders and rates [12] Factors Influencing Mortgage Rates - Lenders offer the lowest rates to borrowers with higher down payments, excellent credit scores, and low debt-to-income ratios, suggesting that improving these factors can lead to better mortgage rates [13] - Options for reducing interest rates include paying for discount points at closing or utilizing temporary buydowns, which can lower initial payments [14][15] Future Rate Predictions - Forecasts indicate that the 30-year mortgage rate is expected to remain around 6.1% through 2026, with Fannie Mae predicting a similar rate near 6% by the end of the year [19]

Core Insights - Money market accounts (MMAs) are highlighted as a favorable option for storing cash due to their relatively high interest rates, liquidity, and flexibility [1] - MMAs typically offer better returns than traditional savings accounts and may include check-writing privileges and debit card access, making them suitable for long-term savings with easy access [2] Interest Rates Overview - Despite a general decline in rates over recent months, some MMAs still offer rates exceeding 4% APY [3] - Historical fluctuations in MMA rates are largely attributed to changes in the Federal Reserve's target interest rate [4] - Following the 2008 financial crisis, MMA rates were low, averaging between 0.10% to 0.50% due to the Fed's near-zero federal funds rate [5] - The COVID-19 pandemic prompted another drop in MMA rates as the Fed cut rates to combat economic fallout [6] - Starting in 2022, aggressive interest rate hikes by the Fed led to historically high deposit rates, with many MMAs offering rates of 4% or higher by late 2023 [7] - As of 2026, MMA rates remain high by historical standards but are on a downward trend following recent Fed rate cuts [8] Considerations for Choosing MMAs - When selecting a money market account, factors beyond interest rates, such as minimum balance requirements, fees, and withdrawal limits, should be considered [9] - Some MMAs may require a minimum balance of $5,000 or more to earn the highest advertised rates, and monthly maintenance fees can reduce interest earnings [10] - There are competitive MMAs available without balance requirements or fees, emphasizing the importance of comparing options [10] - It is crucial to ensure that the chosen account is insured by the FDIC or NCUA, which guarantees deposits up to $250,000 per institution, per depositor [11] Current Market Rates - The national average interest rate for money market accounts is currently 0.56%, while the best rates can reach around 4% APY, comparable to high-yield savings accounts [12] - For example, depositing $50,000 in a money market account with a 4.5% APY would yield approximately $2,303 in interest over one year [13] - Currently, no money market accounts offer 5% APY, but some high-yield savings accounts from online banks can exceed 4% [14]

Core Insights - Today's CD rates are significantly higher than the national average, with the Federal Reserve reducing its target interest rate three times in 2025, indicating a potential last opportunity to secure high rates with certificates of deposit [1] Group 1: Best CD Rates - As of February 9, 2026, the highest CD rate available is 4% APY, offered by Marcus by Goldman Sachs for a 1-year CD [2] - The article provides a comparison of the best CD rates from verified partners, highlighting competitive offers in the market [2] Group 2: National Average CD Rates - The national average CD rate for a 1-year term is 1.61% as of January 2026, which is significantly lower than the best available rates [3] - Current average CD rates are among the highest seen in nearly two decades, primarily due to the Federal Reserve's strategy to combat inflation by maintaining elevated interest rates [3] Group 3: Finding the Best CD Rates - To find the best CD rates, it is advisable to shop around and compare rates from various financial institutions, especially online banks that typically offer more competitive rates due to lower overhead costs [4] - It is important to check minimum deposit requirements, as higher rates may necessitate larger initial deposits [4] - Reviewing account terms and conditions is crucial, including early withdrawal penalties and auto-renewal policies, with some CDs offering no-penalty options for greater flexibility [4]

Market Overview - U.S. stock futures declined on Monday after a significant rebound on Friday, with major benchmark indices showing lower futures [1] - The 10-year Treasury bond yielded 4.22%, while the two-year bond was at 3.50%, indicating market expectations for interest rates [2] - The Dow Jones, S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, and Russell 2000 experienced slight declines of -0.12%, -0.37%, -0.63%, and -0.33% respectively [2] Company Insights - FedEx Corp. rose by 0.47% following a consortium's announcement to acquire InPost for €7.8 billion ($9.254 billion), maintaining a strong price trend and value ranking [6] - ON Semiconductor Corp. fell by 1.38% as analysts anticipate quarterly earnings of 62 cents per share on revenue of $1.54 billion, while maintaining a moderate value ranking [7] - STMicroelectronics is noted to have a stronger price trend but a poor quality ranking according to Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings [3] - Kroger maintains a strong price trend and solid quality ranking across all time frames [4] Sector Performance - The S&P 500's gains on Friday were led by industrials, energy, and information technology sectors, while consumer discretionary and communication services sectors closed lower [8] Economic Insights - Financial experts attribute the recent rally in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which closed above 50,000 for the first time, to cooling inflation and technical rebounds [9] - Analysts suggest that the S&P 500 may struggle to surpass the 7,000-point milestone without stronger contributions from the tech sector, particularly software [11] - Upcoming CPI data and labor market conditions are critical factors to watch for the year ahead, as noted by Allianz's Chief Economic Adviser [11]

Market Overview - U.S. stock futures declined on Monday after a significant rebound on Friday, with major benchmark indices showing lower futures [1] - The 10-year Treasury bond yielded 4.22%, while the two-year bond was at 3.50%, indicating market expectations for interest rates [2] - The Dow Jones, S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, and Russell 2000 experienced slight declines of -0.12%, -0.37%, -0.63%, and -0.33% respectively [2] Company Insights - FedEx Corp. rose by 0.47% following a consortium's announcement to acquire InPost for €7.8 billion ($9.254 billion), maintaining a strong price trend and value ranking [6] - ON Semiconductor Corp. fell by 1.38% as analysts anticipate quarterly earnings of 62 cents per share on revenue of $1.54 billion, while maintaining a moderate value ranking [7] - STMicroelectronics is noted for a stronger price trend but has a poor quality ranking according to Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings [3] - Kroger maintains a strong price trend and solid quality ranking across all time frames [4] Sector Performance - The S&P 500's gains on Friday were led by industrials, energy, and information technology sectors, while consumer discretionary and communication services sectors closed lower [8] Economic Insights - Financial experts attribute the recent rally in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which closed above 50,000 for the first time, to cooling inflation and technical rebounds [9] - Analysts suggest that the S&P 500 may struggle to surpass the 7,000-point milestone without stronger contributions from the tech sector, particularly software [11] - Upcoming CPI data and labor market conditions are critical factors to watch for the year ahead, as noted by Allianz's Chief Economic Adviser [11]

Group 1 - Prices tend to spike in January, with tariffs being a potential reason, but a more likely cause is suggested to be more esoteric factors [1]